China vs Iran: Refugee population by country or territory of origin
China
153,962
in 2025
Iran
157,912
in 2025
China rank
22nd
Iran rank
21st
Refugee population by country or territory of origin over time
- China
- Iran
How they compare
Iran currently reports 157,912 against 153,962 in China, a difference of 3,950.
The two have swapped places 4 times across 46 shared years of data; in 1980 it was Iran ahead.
China ranks 22nd and Iran ranks 21st of 205 countries.
Across the 5 decades both report, China averaged higher in 3 and Iran in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Iran | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 118 | 31,237 | 31,119 | Iran |
| 1990s | 85,000 | 105,912 | 20,912 | Iran |
| 2000s | 139,704 | 96,895 | 42,809 | China |
| 2010s | 202,763 | 93,098 | 109,665 | China |
| 2020s | 162,507 | 144,769 | 17,737 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher refugee population by country or territory of origin, China or Iran?
- Iran, at 157,912 against 153,962 in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in refugee population by country or territory of origin between China and Iran?
- 3,950, with Iran ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Iran?
- 46 years are reported by both, from 1980 to 2025.
- How do China and Iran rank globally for refugee population by country or territory of origin?
- China ranks 22nd and Iran ranks 21st of 205 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Refugee population by country or territory of origin. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.